Nov 2008 Senior Living Magazine Vancouver Edition by INSPIRED 55+ Lifestyle Magazine

VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND NOVEMBER 2008

Vancouver’s 50+ Active Lifestyle Magazine

Travel Writers Rick and Chris Millikan

e u s s I l Specia

EXPLORE FIJI

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It has been said that laughter is the best medicine. At Lifestyle Retirement Communities, we agree that it is an excellent foundation for health and well being, and within our bright, beautiful surroundings, it's natural for residents and staff alike to feel cheerful. At Lifestyle Retirement Communities we make sure there's always someone to share a laugh with you.

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Visit our website for answers provided by professionals to common questions. Plus, if you have additional questions, email or phone the writer for more information. FEATURED THIS MONTH: Cole and Tracy Merkley, Denturists If you would like to see a particular professional on our website, let us know... we’ll see what we can do...

NOVEMBER 2008 MAGAZINE

(Vancouver & Lower Mainland) is published by Stratis Publishing. Other publications by Stratis Publishing:

• Senior Living (Vancouver Island) • Senior Lifestyle: A Housing Guide for Vancouver Island

FEATURES

Publisher

Aside from idyllic beaches and stunning views, Fiji offers more for the active traveller.

4 Forays in Fascinating Fiji

Barbara Risto Editor

8 The Joyful Horsewoman

Bobbie Jo Sheriff editor@seniorlivingmag.com

In the world of horses, Joy Richardson’s championship success is unmatched.

Advertising Manager

10 Don Mac’s

Barry Risto 250-479-4705 Toll Free 1-877-479-4705 sales@seniorlivingmag.com

Don MacAllister shares his personal collection.

PLANNED GIVING GUIDE 14 A Renaissance of Philanthropy 15 Celebrating A Life Well Lived 16 “This Land is Not to be Developed”

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18 Tales My Mother Told Me

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Over a million Canadians have a War Bride in their family tree – this is the journey of one.

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COLUMNS 2 The Family Caregiver by Barbara Small

7 Between Friends by Doreen Barber

13 Forever Young by William Thomas

30 Ask Goldie

by Goldie Carlow

32 Reﬂections: Then & Now by Gipp Forster

28 Creative Composition

Author Paul Headrick combines his love of music and his love of writing. Cover Photo: Travel writers Rick and Chris Millikan kayaking in Blue Lagoon, Fiji. Story page 4.

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MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2008

THE FAMILY CAREGIVER

Caregiving After Facility Placement BY BARBARA SMALL

aregiving does not end when a person moves into a facility. Although caregivers may have more time for themselves and don’t have sole responsibility for their loved one’s personal care, they may still need to make legal and ﬁnancial decisions, visit them, perhaps take them to appointments, run errands and participate in care decisions. Below are some tips for caregiving after facility placement. 1. Share the care. You are now part of a care team. Good communication and consultation is essential. Clarify what care the facility staff will provide and what is expected of you. The staff will care for your family member as needed, though maybe not exactly as you have been doing. But remember, your family member’s health has diminished, so care needs will likely be different now. 2. Visiting someone in a facility. There is no formula as to how often you should visit, though regular, predictable visits are helpful. Have others share in the visiting, as well, but avoid visiting in large groups. Create a balance between doing activities with your family member and quiet time just sitting. Determine the best time to visit: When is your loved one alert? When is personal care time or meals? If you have difﬁculty with visits, talk to the staff, they may have some suggestions. 3. Dealing with requests to go home. Acknowledge these requests with: “I know how much you want to go home and I wish it were possible,” and remind them why they can’t – “because you can’t balance/walk,” “because I am not well myself.” Try not to act defensive and don’t make empty promises to take him or her home. Often, it can take up to six weeks for someone to settle into a facility.

4. Sharing news. When you visit, let your family member share news about experiences at the facility and about other residents. Remember this is your loved one’s new home. 5. Share your knowledge and experience with staff. You know your family member best. Provide the facility staff with insight into personal needs and preferences. Help the staff get to know your family member better so they can provide him or her with unique care. 6. Advocate for the care recipient. Find out about the protocol for feedback or complaints at the care facility. Who are the key people you speak to about speciﬁc concerns? Find out the best time to talk to this person (for example, not during shift change). 7. More time for self-care. You will now have more free time to focus on yourself and resume activities you did before becoming a caregiver. Although you may feel lost for a while, you now have the opportunity to start taking better care of yourself. This will help improve your relationship with the SL person to whom you provide care. Next month: Tips for caregiving during the holiday season

Barbara Small is Program Development Coordinator for Family Caregivers’ Network Society.

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NOVEMBER 2008

iji’s splendour lures us across the international dateline. So, flying Air Pacific Sunday night, we awake on Tuesday above Nadi. Tiny islands form a gargantuan footprint below pinpointing our resort, the location where legendary Fijians first landed. Soon, settled in our thatched bure [bungalow] accommodation amid First Landing’s beachfront village, we bask in “Bula” hospitality, savour fusions of Fiji’s multicultural cuisine and enjoy nightly South Pacific entertainment. By day, we shuttle to the lush Garden of the Sleeping Giant, Nadi’s ornate Hindu temple, Fort Viseisei, a stony cannibalera fortress, modern Viseisei village with its Methodist “Jone Weslei” Church and into nearby Lautoka, “Sugar City.” Passing sugarcane fields, its sugar mill and rum factory, we investigate the Krishna temple and large Muslim mosque downtown. At the large central market, we admire local handicrafts and the astonishing cornucopia of pro-

STORY AND PHOTOS BY RICK & CHRIS MILLIKAN

duce. Inside the adjacent grogshop, we find pepper roots, brewed into Fiji’s national drink, kava. Thursday, we travel Queen’s Highway to natural attractions on the Coral Coast. Passing cane fields, pine forests and villages, we glimpse a sports event. Our driver Mustafa quips, “Although there’s many religions in Fiji, the most popular is Rugby!” Kula Eco Park lies in a luxuriant valley. In its entryway, Mari, the naturalist, places rare-crested iguanas upon our necks and arms, grinning, “We’re breeding some of Fiji’s endangered species here, including these guys, ground frogs and peregrine falcons. Our programs emphasize wildlife preservation.” Colourful local parrots squawk for attention while golden pigeons, which can bark like dogs, look on quietly. In walkthrough aviaries, we admire small navy-blue crested Kula, once hunted by Tongans for scarlet feathers used for royal robes. Strolling elevated boardwalks, we loop under gigantic trees and over trickling streams, examining endemic flyingfox fruit bats, labelled native plants and cultural artifacts. At nearby Sigatoka Sand Dunes, we hike a one-hour loop. Stepping over tough purple-blossomed vines we sink into hot sands as we climb the dunes. We feel like Lawrence of Arabia without the camel! Stopping for a breezy rest at panoramic Clark Lookout, guide Kate explains, “Over thousands Above: Decked out with fresh plumeria garlands, dancing in the meke with Fijian Villagers in the Sigatoka highlands. Left: In the Yasawas, hiking up Liku hill through lush tropical greenery to enjoy vistas. Blue Lagoon ship below. Page 6, top left: At Kula Eco Park, with endangered crested iguanas. Page 6, bottom right: A foot massage welcomes visitors to the Jacques Cousteau Resort on Savu Savu, Fiji’s second largest island.

SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

Photo: KGreenwood

Forays in Fascinating Fiji

harmonizing. During his passionate ser- Deck, we sip chilled champagne then mon, the minister inserts bits of English stroll downstairs for sumptuous dinners. for our sake. A borrowed songbook al- Tenders carry us daily to deserted white lows us to hum along in Fijian; from sand beaches to snorkel above coloursmall slips of paper, we all belt out an ful reefs. Hiking upward through tropic English hymn together. greenery on our ﬁrst isle, we enjoy hillReturning westward Monday, we side vistas returning for pleasant swims board the Mystique Princess for a four- and beachside tea. day cruise past the Mamanucas, remote The second island-stop includes a Monuriki where Tom Hanks starred in village visit; at the last, we enjoy that Castaway and around the Yasawas, Fi- beautiful Blue Lagoon romanticized 08-1145 WR SeniorLivingMag FGAA:07-0359 VAN SeniorsLiving .eps 9/18/08 ji’s volcanic island chain. Admiring in two classic movies. After frolicking brilliant red and gold sunsets on the Sky upon palm-fringed sands and paddling

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08-1145

Photo: KGreenwood

of years, Sigatoka River washed sand shoreward and the trade winds heaped it into these remarkable dunes. Today, Fiji’s first National Park, it offers 650hectares of unique ecology, including remnants of Fiji’s earliest inhabitants.” Seemingly inhospitable, these dunes provide homes for 22 kinds of birds. Descending, we hug the shoreline before entering a mahogany forest where twisted vines create whimsical “tree huggers” and a “tree of lost soles” dangles with discarded footgear, including flippers. Planted in the 1960s, this majestic forest stabilizes ever-shifting dunes. Friday, we travel from secluded Natandola Bay Beach Resort to Sigatoka for a Jet Boat Safari through Fiji’s “salad bowl” of thriving farmlands and pristine landscapes. Rocketing over river shallows, we arrive at a remote traditional village for a rousing visit as honoured guests. Saturday, we head for Fiji’s soft adventure capital, staying in style at the swank Pearl Resort. Rather than kayak, hike, sail, dive or zip line rapidly through rainforest canopy, we taxi to Pacific Harbor for a unique Arts Village event. Emerging onto a grassy island stage, a grass-skirted priest chants as a narrator explains how an elf taught Bequa islanders to have power over fire. Segregated from women, refusing coconuts for two weeks, four purified men join the priest, raking away burning logs. With a strong tree fern imbued with elfin spirits, they position and level the river stones. Sweet palm fronds fan away evil spirits. Straddling these blistering rocks, the priest shouts, “Vuto O!” (Ready!) They all file over across white-hot rocks believed to be insulated by elfin backs. This fiery rite climaxes with a gift of greens to the elves. Sunday, we attend a village church service. An elder escorts us to a platform bench beside the satin covered pulpit. Smiling parishioners sit cross-legged below on mats. Thumping the log Lali three times, the grey-haired minister enters and the choir begins heavenly

NOVEMBER 2008

9:28 AM

Mandir was as tall as me. Now, look! The roof’s been raised twice.” Devotees believe their snake-god is still growing. Outside, we ascend 108 shallow steps to Shivalay. Radu told us, Hindu believers murmur Shiva’s names for each step to the prayer-gazebo, where Shiva’s likeness sits with his godly mate. Over a delectable dinner at Labasa’s historic Great Eastern Hotel, we reﬂect on our latest Bula adventures, ﬂying homeward tomorrow brimming with SL Fijian wonder. WHEN YOU GO:

warm, crystal waters, we feast under lantern-lit palms and sparkling stars. On Thursday, an 18-passenger plane carries us off to Fiji’s second largest island. In Savu Savu, we discover our Jean Michel Cousteau Resort evolved from Cousteau’s 1990s lectures here on sustainable oceans. Resident marine biologist Jonny educates through informative slideshows and snorkel or dive trips. Hearing about his night snorkel, we sign up. At the dock’s platform, Jonny preps everyone, providing long flashlights to us eager aquanauts. Swimming over a large cage protecting endangered species of giant clams, we learn they produce hundreds of viable offspring. We promptly spot a lionfish sticking up its striped mane of barbs, large-eyed cardinals and soldier fish and a parrotfish asleep in a mucous sleeping bag. Diving, Jonny brings up a feathered starfish. Upon release, it draws back its white feathery arms dropping torpedolike to the bottom. After next showing us a bright red pincushion starfish, Jonny says, “Switch off your flashlights and kick like crazy.” Countless brilliant specks of bioluminescent plankton appear. Friday, many guests shuttle into town to tour the pearl farm aboard a glass bottom boat. Instead, we go to “Golden 6

SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

Nuggets,” one of twelve resort snorkel destinations within Savu Savu’s threekilometre marine sanctuary. In this Soft Coral World Capital’s crystal waters, an array of rainbow fish swirl among golden leather, green cabbage, red fan and yellow spaghetti corals. Saturday, we wind over a lush mountain, through Labasa and deep into its pastoral countryside hoping to observe two phenomena. We find a chief telling us about ancestors fishing from three islands that floated back and forth to the sea. Though we never witness this legendary marvel, we do see Naag Mandir. Inside the brightly painted Snake Temple, flowers and tinsel garland a poised basalt cobra. We meet sisters ministering to its altar. Rana drizzles coconut milk and sprinkles golden turmeric powder onto their snake god. Lighting sweet-smelling incense, Radu whispers, “When my grandmother was young, it was only twofeet high. As a Peter Trill at the controls. teenager, Naag

• Air Pacific – www.airpacific.com • Rosie Holidays Fiji Tour Service – www.RosieFiji.com • First Landing Beach Resort & Villas – www.firstlandingfiji.com • Pearl South Pacific Resort, Spa & Championship Golf Course – www.thepearlsouthpacific.com • Kula Eco Park – www.fijiwild.com • Sigatoka River Safari – www.sigatokariver.com • Natandola Bay Resort – www.pacific-resorts.com/fiji/ natadola/index • Blue Lagoon Cruises – www.bluelagooncruises.com • Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort – www.fijiresort.com

Between Friends Multi-tasking

here are stages in our journey of discovery that cause us to laugh at ourselves. A multi-tasker, I ﬁnd myself doing what, to others, may be bizarre. For example, having a shower should be a common occurrence but, as I am about to enter the shower, my thoughts race to “what else can I do while I am in there?” Does the tub need a bit of a polish? So, with my nude body, I embrace the tub scrubber and cleaner as I form a plan of attack. I wonder, “have I always taken cleaning solutions and a scrubber

into the shower with me?” The answer, I embarrassingly admit, is often yes. While I make a cup of tea, I’ll prepare vegetables for dinner, clean the counter and set the coffee maker for the next day’s morning jolt of caffeine. Going down to our basement exercise room affords me the opportunity to put a load of laundry into the washer, pull out a dried load, fold it and then take some meat out of the freezer for dinner. “It’s not so much we are afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it’s that place in-between that we fear. It’s like being between trapezes.

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BY DOREEN BARBER

It’s Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There’s nothing to hold on to.” –Marilyn Ferguson Perhaps there is no right way to multi-task; the goal is to complete the tasks to our satisfaction. No one dictates the result but us. The pleasure we derive in the journey is governed by our standards. “Beyond the ideas of right doing and wrong doing, there is a ﬁeld. I SL will meet you there.” –Rumi

23/08/2008

2:36 PM

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NOVEMBER 2008

The Joyful Horsewoman BY PETER HENDERSON

s a girl, Joy Richardson wanted to join the Wom- were sold in Covent Garden. They supplied all the flowers for en’s Royal Naval Service; life had other plans Buckingham Palace. In the late fifties, however, there was not one, but two hot Christmases, and without refrigerated trucks for her. First, she had to satisfy her father’s wish for her to achieve in those days, the flowers ended up in London “like soppy a sound level in a career that would sustain her when her poppies.” Effectively losing two years income, the couple naval service ended. She took top marks at secretarial col- ended up broke, and sought a new life in Canada. Still remote from the world of horses, Joy, nevertheless, lege and, upon graduation, was invited to be one of Winston Churchill’s secretaries. Her naval ambitions prevailed, how- had a highly successful interior design career in Canada. “The morning after arriving, thinking about jobs, I was ever, and despite being below minimum height, she was acwalking over the Granville Bridge and sat on a ledge to get cepted and drove ambulances and trucks. During one assignment, she had to transport the bodies of 70 sailors drowned in my breath and decide my next step. I looked over my shoulder a swimming mishap. So, at 17, she became acquainted with and there was a store with a lot of antique furniture. I walked in and I said, “I’ve just come wartime death. over from England, and I “I was the daughter of think I’m going to work for a prominent horse-loving you.” When they said, “Oh?” farmer, owning 5,000 acres,” I said that “I’ve worked for says Joy. “He was chairman Harrods, the leading interior of the wartime Farmer’s Unstore in England, and I think ion Board and my mother I could be of help.” was a centre organizer of the “They took me on then Women’s Voluntary Servand there, so I had a job ices for the town of Bourne within 24 hours of arriving in and 28 villages in our part Canada,” says Joy. “In truth, of Lincolnshire. So, I had to I had no experience whatevkeep up to their level!” Joy was invalided out er working for Harrods, but my family used to buy beauwith exhaustion after the war and, sadly, her husband tiful furniture from Harrods, so I’d been there and seen came home from a PoW camp a changed man. The it. The five men in the store were all very knowledgemarriage did not endure. “However, my family able, a lot more so than me, owned very good horses and but they must have thought, I’d go to Ireland with my fa‘Here’s this silly Englishther, where we’d buy three woman, we’ll give her someor four young ones,” says thing to do.’” Joy of her younger years. The shop had racks and “I’d bring them home and racks of fabric samples for train them, after which they curtains and furniture coverJoy Richardson has been around horses her whole life. were sold at good prices. I ings. Joy was tasked to sort made one horse the winner of the International Horse Show, them out according to current and discontinued fashions. A so that wasn’t too bad. So, my whole life has been involved good learning experience, it taught her what was available in with horses.” Vancouver. Joy’s career also included several intervals away from the Soon, she was put on commission sales. One day, the men equine world. Her second husband, John Richardson, was a went out for coffee, and left her in charge. Twenty minutes very good horticulturist. They bought bulbs from Holland and later, a wealthy woman came in and, an hour later, Joy had grew tulips and daffodils; paying for them after the flowers sold her $28,000 worth of merchandise, a huge amount in 8

SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

those days. From there, she became one of the top interior designers in Vancouver, despite having had no real training. “Today, I’m sure there are a lot better people than me,” admits Joy, “but in those days, I was able to make my mark. I stayed there for six years.” In the end, the lure of horses won out, and Joy went back into that world. The Quarter Horse is an American breed, so called from its ability to outpace other breeds over a quarter mile. Joy brought the ﬁrst one into Canada, named Hyline Gentry, riding, showing and doing dressage with him. He became very famous in California, B.C. and Oregon. She won 73 championships with him and became President of the Quarter Horse Association, forming four zones throughout B.C. In 1977, Joy took Hyline Gentry to England, and made him the top American Quarter horse in England. While she was fox hunting on him, Prince Charles was most impressed with the horse, and commented that had Hyline Gentry been a stallion, he would have made a great addition to the breeding stock owned by the Queen. In the hope of supplying that lack in the Queen’s stables, in 1980, Joy imported a full brother, Hyline Paladin. This ambition sadly did not come to pass when Hyline Paladin was injured, although he later recovered and became American Quarter Horse Champion, Champion Working Hunter, and gained the Prix St. Georges in dressage. “Then the Germans came over and they were so fascinated with that breed of horses, that they now have, as a result of Hyline Gentry, over 60 thousand American Quarter Horses in Germany. They are the largest breed of horses in the world.” Joy only has three horses on site now, but she’s out of bed feeding them before 7 a.m. every day. Seven years ago, she created The Spirit of The Horse Memorial Garden in Campbell Valley Park in Langley, a quiet haven for horse lovers to contemplate and celebrate memories of their faithful friends. “At 83, if I’d been like many older people, twisting my ﬁngers and reading the paper, I’d have been gone long ago,” says Joy. “But this way, it keeps my mind going. I’m happy to be on various boards and things, and they defer to me a lot.” With a career like Joy’s, deference from others is hardly SL surprising.

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DON MAC’S D

on McAllister is a man who appreciates the past, but lives in the present. From the outside, his South Delta home looks like those of his neighbours. But inside his garage, visitors are instantly transported back to another era – an age of cruising to the drive-in with rollerskatewearing carhops; a time when radio ruled the airwaves and jukeboxes could be found in most diners. Don’s garage has been transformed into a museum of vintage models, licence plates, radios, cars and so much more. “The whole thing started with a 1950 Admiral Mantle Radio,” Don says of the idea for the museum known as Don Mac’s Classic Cars and ’50s Museum. The same radio he had in his bedroom when he was 11 is now on display along with many other radios on one of his walls. He says that even then he knew, “one day, I’m going to have something for everyone to enjoy.” And does he ever! He and his wife, Velma, did very well over the years in real estate and, upon retirement, decided to sell their various properties and invest in their current home. It was important to Don to have a corner lot and enough land for him to realize his dream. It took a year to get approval for the renovations, put the work out to tender, hire a contractor and have the work completed. Once the garage met Don’s speciﬁcations, he moved in his collections. 10

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KEVIN MCKAY

Over the years, he has accumulated a multitude of items: licence plates, a Coca-Cola dispensing machine, model airplanes and a working jukebox ﬁlled with 45-rpm records. All of these items and more are on display, but the centrepiece of the museum is Don’s collection of classic cars, all of which he still drives. He acquired the ﬁrst three more than 30 years ago, and did most of the restoration work with his sons. Against one wall, next to a painted mural, is the 1957 Chevy, one of only

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16,000 models built in Windsor, Ontario. About ﬁve years ago, he picked up the 1959 Nash Metropolitan, a British car built in the U.K. with a left-hand drive for the North American market. Beside it, sits a rare 1955 Chevy halfton pick-up truck in pristine condition. The ﬁnal car in that row is a 1954 Ford Meteor Niagara. In another corner, is Don’s second British car, a 1960 Morris Minor convertible. Don’s love for vintage vehicles and 1950s memorabilia is linked to the era

of his youth. Both his parents moved to Winnipeg when they were young children – his mother from Sheffield, England and his father from Glasgow, Scotland. After they met and married, the couple raised their family; Don was the first of three boys. Their father worked as a streetcar driver until October 1949, when he packed up the family and moved them to the west coast, settling in Vancouver. Don claims they moved because his parents were fed up with the Manitoba winters and had shovelled enough snow to last a lifetime. Unable to find work on the Vancouver streetcars, Don’s father changed occupations and became a house painter. The family struggled as contracts came and went, moving homes a few times along the way, until the Little Mountain Housing Project awarded its painting contract to Don’s father in 1954. This allowed the family some stability until Don graduated from Vancouver Tech High School in 1959. That year, the McAllisters bought their first new home in the Seafair area of Richmond. Don started working at a local gas station, pumping gas and working on cars. “I had a fascination for cars my whole life,” he says. One of his Soon, the McAllisters, with extensive knowledge of the regular customers was a young lady named Velma, whose brother-in-law owned the station. Don didn’t waste time ask- food industry, were approached by Ladner’s new McKee ing her out and, by 1960, they started going steady, until their Seniors Centre to see if they would be interested in helping out with the food services program. They agreed and marriage in 1963. Despite many people warning them against it, the young have volunteered five days a week at the centre ever since. couple had a new home built in Richmond. Taking ad- More than 40 volunteers serve under them, and in less than vantage of a government program to have homebuilders two years, they turned the kitchen into a well-run operation, working through the winter, they received $1,500 in grants, bringing the price of their new home down to only $11,000. With the responsibilities of a mortgage and a young family, Don took up a position with Palm Dairies, where he worked for more than 15 years. His abilities were apparent to the senior management and soon Don was being counted on to travel all over the province on a regular basis dealing with problems and putting out fires. Unfortunately, as much as he enjoyed the travel – Don had his pilot’s licence and flew small aircraft – he and Velma �� were raising four children and he felt he was spending too much time away. �� He left Palm Dairies on excellent �� terms and took a position with the Nes�� tle’s Corporation. He remained with �� them for nearly 30 years, finishing up �� at 65 as the Senior Account Representative looking after the company’s busi�� ness interests in Asia. Around the same �� time, Velma retired from the Delta Ho�� tels management team.

NOVEMBER 2008

serving up delicious and nutritious meals to the members of McKee Centre. Don says he and Velma “are fortunate to have our health, and we’re doing what we’ve done our whole careers.” Don also helps a 75-year-old friend who started a hobby shop in Ladner called “Sails and Rails” several days a week. You might think he has enough on his plate. Think again. Back to his own hobby, most of the items in the collection are Don’s, but others were donated. They will be offered back to the donor or the donor’s family when the museum closes its doors. Don worries about that day since he is not sure if anyone else will be able to keep the collection together and continue operating a free museum. As Don operates it, there is no charge to come in and look over the collection. On the other hand, there are no regular operating hours and no advertising. Despite this, Don has welcomed over 550 visitors in about two years, in small groups of no more than ﬁve people, all arranged by calling to

make an appointment. Don says many of his visitors, especially senior gentlemen, have become sentimental and can get overwhelmed with emotion. Don understands. “I just love being able to SL present this to people.” To talk to Don Mac or to arrange a visit to his museum, call 604-948-2261.

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Stop by today or call to schedule �� your complimentary lunch & tour. �� Ask us about our Assisted Living packages. ��

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FOREVER BY WILLIAM THOMAS

A Chattering of Creature Names

s I get older, I take the time to appreciate the little things, like all creatures great and small and even the creepy-crawlies. I have always been fascinated by the terms used to describe groups of animals, birds and insects. Somebody put a lot of thought into these collective nouns, like an army of ants, a shrewdness of apes and a troop of kangaroos. Many are not all that original: a drove for a lot of fourfooted animals; a flock of almost every bird; a school of this; a pack of that and a herd of damn near everything. But a charm of goldfinches? Alluring. A kaleidoscope of butterflies? Brilliant. A bed of clams? Happy. A quiver of cobras? Menacing. A caravan of camels? Nomadic. An intrusion of cockroaches? Meddlesome. A flamboyance of flamingoes? Majestic. A cackle of hyenas? Laughable. A stud of mares? Ironic. A kit of pigeons? Flight in formation. An unkindness of ravens? Harsh. A prickle of porcupines? Needling. A family of sardines? Large family, small can. And a shiver of sharks leaves surfers trembling. A rumba of rattlesnakes? Dance away, dance away. A murmuration of starlings? Whispering in willows. An ambush of tigers? Sneaky. A boogle of weasels? Scary. A mustering of storks? A baby boom. One of my favourites is a sedge of bitterns because I have no clue as to what either of those words mean. But what a conversation stopper. “I saw a rather large sedge of bitterns today on my walk along the canal.” “What were they doing?” “They were staring suspiciously at a chatter of budgerigars.” There are some names attributed to groups of animals I just can’t agree with. A clowder of cats or a clutter of cats or even a pounce of cats do felines no justice at all. Exclusively and officially, a comfort of cats should suffice. Similarly, a pack of dogs or a kennel of dogs does little to honour man’s best friend. A delight of dogs should rule this grouping. A kendle, a kindle or a litter of kittens misses the mark of these cuter-than-life little creatures. A litter of pups or a

batch of puppies also underwhelms the species. Once and for all, the recognized terms for these groups of young pets should be a cuddle of kittens and a puddle of puppies and yes, string and paper towels do apply. A bunch of cows are a kine, while a dozen cows represent a ﬂink. Geese in the air are a wedge but, while puttering around in the water, sadly, they’re only a plump. Greyhounds are a leash, apropos, while hares are a husk and hawks are a cast until they take off in large numbers, in which case they become a kettle. Hippopotami (or hippopotamuses) are a bloat, which is quite imaginable and peacocks are a pulchritude, aptly beautiful. Blue jays are a party, which could explain their dismal start this season. It’s a covey of ptarmigan, a bevy of quail and prairie dogs run in a coterie. The names of animal groupings almost make the jump to humans. A cur can be a snappish dog or a worthless person and a crowd of them is called a cowardice. Ferrets are tricky little weasels and their group is called a business. I don’t know what a widgeon is but, en masse, they become a company. Think Enron and you got it. It’s a parliament of owls but don’t confuse Ottawa with wisdom. A mob of cattle is one thing, and a tribe of goats another, but a murder of magpies is downright criminal. A group of foxes is known as a skulk but, so far, nobody has labelled a bunch of sleazy foxes a skank. And you just know that a congregation of crocodiles has something to do with a conference of lawyers. A deceit of lapwings implies left wing “ad scamming” Liberals, while a labour of moles depicts NDPers with no vision and a dissimulation of birds speaks to the secrecy of the Conservatives. On the bright side, a loveliness of ladybirds would make SL an excellent title for a Leonard Cohen album.

William Thomas is the author of nine books of humour including Margaret and Me about his wee Irish mother. www.williamthomas.ca NOVEMBER 2008

A Renaissance of Philanthropy PLANNED GIVING GUIDE

ifting to charities was once the perceived re- a difference in your life. sponsibility of the wealthy such as high in• Consider using assets for your charitable gift. These can come professionals and retirees. Today, we are include cash, stocks, mutual funds, term deposits, real estate, undergoing a transformation of who contributes to chari- vehicles, art, jewelry or insurance. ties. Leaving a legacy is not only for the wealthy. We can • Name a charity as a beneficiary all plan a legacy gift regardless of of your RRSP, RRIF or pension. our assets or income. • Name your favourite charity as Legacies are sometimes reThe greatness of planning the beneficiary of an existing or paidferred to as planned gifts and can a gift is that it enables up life insurance policy. have a significant contribution to a charitable organization. The great• Purchase a new life insurance people to match their ness of planning a gift is that it policy naming your favourite charity philanthropic goals with enables people to match their philas the beneficiary. anthropic goals with their personal their personal goals of • Ask your financial advisor to goals of providing for their heirs. include charitable giving as part of providing for their heirs. your plan. What is philanthropy? It translates into the love of humankind • Make a donation to the charity and is usually what motivates us in memory of someone who dies. The to give. Philanthropy is more strategic now as it is becoming common for people to plan family receives an acknowledgement of your gift and your their taxes and deaths around charitable giving. Charitable gift and the deceased will be remembered. giving can help your own financial situation, while help• Make a donation to a charity as a wedding, anniversary, ing others you care about. birthday or Christmas gift. You will receive a charitable tax There are a number of excellent strategies to consider receipt; your gift will benefit the community forever. when you are planning to give and a professional advisor • Honour an employee on retirement with a scholarship in is a valuable resource that should not be ignored. Considtheir name. The employee’s name will live on forever, and a er the following ideas. If they resonate with you, discuss student will obtain help with post secondary education. them with your financial advisors: Charitable gifting can help your own financial planning SL • Leave a gift in your will for the organization that made goals while contributing to your community.

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You may not have much to give, but even small amounts gifted can have an enormous impact on an organization struggling to make ends meet. When considering a gift to a charity you want to think strategically. Making sure loved ones have been adequately looked after is paramount, but leaving a gift to a charity need not take away from family obligations. Maybe your accountant will direct you to gifting an insurance policy you no longer need, or some appreciated stock that will complicate your taxes if you cash them. Perhaps, your lawyer will have you think about setting up a Charitable Remainder Trust, or a Life Estate for your own personal charitable situation. The important thing is not to let technical or legal details prevent you from following your heart. There are professionals within charities, estate lawyers, ﬁnancial advisors and accountants that are knowledgeable and prepared to assist with technicalities. What matters most is making the decision to leave the world a better place by supporting the things that you care about. Everything else will fall in place. Leaving a legacy is not just for millionaires. You may not have much to give, but even small amounts gifted can have an enormous impact on an organization struggling to make ends meet. Sometimes, the act of giving or remembering a charity in your Will can uplift, support and inspire others to do the same. Celebrate a life well lived by leaving a legacy Boundary marker SL for future generations!

Since 1973, the Canadian Section of Amnesty International has promoted and protected human rights at home and abroad, through ongoing campaigning, outreach and education programs. By remembering Amnesty International in your estate planning, you will be helping to build a future where the fundamental dignity of every person is respected worldwide. For information and assistance, contact: Heather Warren, Planned Giving Associate (613) 744-7667 ext. 239 hwarren@amnesty.ca www.amnesty.ca/plannedgiving 1-800-AMNESTY

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PLANNED GIVING GUIDE

bequest is the legacy that you leave behind. It can be life-deﬁning. If music causes you to weep with joy, consider leaving a gift that encourages young musicians. Are you a passionate “foodie” with a love for home-grown organic vegetables? Perhaps, you might look for an organization that supports urban sustainable agriculture in your neighbourhood. Celebrate your life with a bequest or gift to support a cause you care deeply about.

Your Gift Brightens Her Future

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Celebrating a Life Well Lived

“This Land is Not to be Developed!”

PLANNED GIVING GUIDE 16 16

ancy’s Board formally agreed to protect the land in perpetuity as per Norma’s wishes. It can never be sold or mortgaged. The farm is now officially called the “Joseph Lohbrunner Wild Bird Sanctuary and Farm.” Birds in the region will always find refuge in the forest and the land has begun to be put back into production thanks to the efforts of three young farmers. Ian King, Perry Mickle and Marthinus DeWet, partners in Backyard Fresh Farming, lease the land from The Land Conservancy and have worked hard this season to turn over the hayfields and to produce fresh organic vegetables. “The boys have some different ideas about farming than what I am used to, Photo: RaeMurphy.com

hen Norma married Joseph Lohbrunner in 1945, he owned some land at the end of Lippincott Road in Langford, B.C. The small white farmhouse sits between the forest and farmland. The tall lush forest was last logged when timber was needed to build the Empress Hotel in Victoria; the farmland is blessed with rich, deep soil. “We raised our two children here, grew our own fruit and vegetables, and hunted deer to feed the family,” says Norma. “It has been a wonderful life.” r. Many yearsNago, when were e Bazaatimes ng at amch Trekki tough, a man in a big shiny car drove down their driveway, stepped out onto their land and offered the Lohbrunners a substantial sum of money to sell. Joseph let the man know, in no uncertain terms, that the farm was not for sale, and that the land was never to be developed. “This is something we always told our children,” says Norma. “They grew up knowing that this home was worth something more than money could buy.” Norma’s vision was to protect this land from the rampant development she had seen in the region over the past 10 years. Since Joseph passed away in 1968, she wanted to uphold his wishes, and ﬁnd a way to ensure that it would never fall into the hands of someone who did not appreciate its value. She saw the forest as a calm sanctuary for her beloved bird community, and the farmland as a valuable food-producing resource, despite the fact that it had only been used for hay production in the past 12 years. Norma had been following the work of The Land Conservancy and wondered if there was a way to work together with the land trust to make her dream a reality. Fortunately, The Land Conserv-

ancy has a mandate to protect special places: the forest land has considerable value as an ecological reserve for birds. The farmland falls under the mandate to protect agricultural land for its food producing capabilities to ensure that future generation have access to fresh, local produce. With the encouragement and support of her granddaughter, Gwendolyn, Norma launched into the process of ﬁnding a way to protect the land for future generations. A bequest was out of the question because Norma wanted to see the land protected in her lifetime. She wanted to be a part of the planning for the future of the farm. She looked into the tax beneﬁts of the federal Ecological Gifts program, but her income was not such that it warranted the expense of the appraisal process. “Can’t I just give The Land Conservancy title right now and be done with it?” wondered Norma. While the process was a bit more time consuming than she anticipated, Norma ended up giving the farm away using a legal agreement called a “life estate.” This means Norma will live in her home for the rest of her life, and she has given title to The Land Conservancy who assume responsibility for land taxes and maintenance of the exterior of the home. The Land Conservancy issued a tax donation receipt for the value of that life estate, which Norma used against income tax. The Land Conserv-

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PLANNED GIVING GUIDE

but when they pulled the first radishes up, they were beautiful, red, huge and delicious. It brought tears to my eyes to see what they had grown,” says Norma. The farming partners have the energy and desire to grow quality food, but could not afford land due to high prices. With a long-term lease in hand, they were able to create a business plan and fulfil their own dream of producing local fresh food. Now, Norma shares her wisdom and her knowledge of the land with these farmers. “It’s a lot of work with all that is going on here,” says Norma. “They really love my baking, and I’m not sure that they are eating properly!” “I’ll miss them when the season is over, my life will be much quieter this winter.” By bringing the land back into production they are breathing new life into the place and at the same time fulfilling Norma’s dream. “I love having the boys around. You couldn’t ask for nicer young men than these.” As for the ‘boys’, Ian King says: “This is an exciting adventure we’re embarked on… all over the place we’re hearing about local food and sustainable agriculture, and now we’re securing nutrition for all those around us. By cultivating healthy, happy soil, we’ll cultivate happy, healthy food and by doing that in turn we’ll cultivate healthy, happy people.” Norma has secured her dream of protecting the family farm in the memory of her late husband Joseph Lohbrunner. This SL land will not be developed.

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Legacy oƒ

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Kaman Ng, Director of Development Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC 604-872-1811 x 225 • kng@crisiscentre.bc.ca NOVEMBER 2008

Tales My Mother Told Me PROLOGUE The War Bride phenomenon is a unique Canadian legacy. During and after the Second World War, mainly British and some European women embarked on uncertain futures in Canada. Over 65,000 war brides arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax after long, gruelling and often dangerous journeys in refitted troopships. Cross-country trains then transported them, scattering these spunky gals to cities and rural areas to join their husbands and meet in-laws in unknown destinations. Our government of the day officially provided one-way transportation for all brides. Leaving their own families and homeland, these ladies left the familiar behind. Like my mother, many shepherded children and today, over a million Canadians have a war bride in their family tree. This is one war bride’s saga. GRAND ROMANCE Overhearing appreciative laughter at her birthday tea, I again realized that my Mom hadn’t always been 92! Blue eyes twinkling, face aglow, she was entertaining some friends with romantic wartime stories. “As charge hand at Osram’s, I was working 24 hours on and 24 hours off, making cathode ray tubes used in the detection of enemy aircraft... the war effort, you know, World War II, that is. London was being heavily bombed then. Sometimes we’d wait for hours in crowded shelters for all-clear signals,” she recalled matter-of-factly. “Quite fed up with me for never going out with them, friends talked me into picnicking in Kew Gardens on a day off,” she was saying. “That afternoon, I met a handsome Canadian soldier, and married him on the first day of spring, 1942,” she beamed. A pretty woman in summer frock and 18

sandals, a handsome young Bombardier in khaki army uniform, a chance meeting in a park and wartime love led to a traditional wedding on saved-up ration coupons. Girlfriends, co-workers, family and neighbours had pooled precious coupons for her special day, wondering all the while about her choice in groom. “Things were just so hard to get then. I couldn’t have a proper bridal bouquet,” she recollected. “I remember my mum buying me a small bunch of daffodils that very morning, but instead, I carried silver horseshoes and a white prayer book, even my wedding cake was a cardboard mockup.” This was a common story back then. Surrounded by falling bombs, strict rationing and nightly blackouts, an entire generation of young women fell in love with and married Canadian servicemen during the Second World War. Many of these fellows were great dancers, smooth talkers, and miles away from home. Over the years, Mom and Dad entertained us with their stories, the hilarious episodes often backed up with popular tunes of the day, never dwelling on the sacriﬁce and reality of wartime living. THE LEAVING Bidding tearful goodbyes to her sisters, brothers and mother, Mom arrived in Canada in June 1945, ahead of the biggest wave of war brides, 45,000 strong, the following summer. “Mary’s emigrating to the colonies,” they’d said, thinking it would never last. “She’ll be back, don’t you worry.” Her mum had demanded of my dad, “You be good to her out there in the wilds, and have that travelling parson visit her every week.” With few belongings, Mom boarded the Volendam at Liverpool with 350 other brides and their young children. Sharing the converted troopship with

SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

BY CHRIS MILLIKAN

The author and her mother in 1945 at Rock Lake, BC.

injured soldiers and returning prisoners of war, they crossed the Atlantic under strict escort. Seasickness and confusion prevailed in cramped, primitive quarters; a far cry from present day cruises in luxurious liners. ARRIVAL Reality often replaced romance after arrival. Many confronted severe culture shock and desperate homesickness; others learned tough realities about their new circumstances and the men they’d married. Though a few returned to their homelands, most women stayed on. Like my mom and dad’s, the majority of these wartime marriages lasted a lifetime. My mother left Halifax Harbour, travelling westward on a cross-country train to a tiny whistle stop at Elko, B.C. where her father and mother in-law met her in pouring rain. For over two months, she lived with them in a remote log house on a dryland ranch with no running water or indoor plumbing, shocking to a sophisticated city girl. Rural living was confusing and a challenge. Trying to maintain familiar British traditions and values in the wilderness, she kept me in little dresses, wheeling me through tall grass along rutted dirt roads every afternoon in the beautiful English pram that

she’d brought with her, the only item of value, and serving afternoon tea, always under the critical eye of her mother-inlaw, herself a war bride. Extreme summer heat, mosquitoes and black flies, foreign habits, primitive facilities and privacy issues were disconcerting introductions to her new life, but they did not defeat her. THE GOOD LIFE Moving to Kimberley in September 1945 meant a first small home together and continuing escapades: learning to bake and cook (even venison dishes), making friends with neighbours, learning to wear warm slacks after developing painful, frostbitten legs when pegging out laundry in wintertime. Postwar family life meant finding a steady job, birthing a new baby, saving up and paying cash for bigticket items and a series of old secondhand cars. “We all had nothing, really, but we had soooo much fun!” she exclaimed gleefully. “Oh, the parties and dinners we had with friends, and the laughs. We made our own hilarity and fun in those days.” Also mindful of the family she’d left in England, she sent big boxes of goodies home, including Christmas fruitcakes she’d baked, prized tins of sockeye salmon and maple syrup, a Canadian treat. Settling permanently in the Kootenays in 1954, she lived a full life with her charming soldier, raising her family, buying and decorating a rancher, vegetable gardening, berry picking, canning and jam-making, growing fabulous Englishstyle roses, camping and fishing at local lakes, travelling extensively, quilting, knitting afghans and hooking rugs for everyone. Always doing the best with what they had, together they improved their situation year-by-year. Each involved themselves in community life: she as a Brownie and Girl Guide leader, he with little league and the school board. Both were busy with church duties. And after almost 63 adventurous years together, the love of her life unexpectedly died. Starting life over again at 90, she sold their beautiful property within months and relocated to the Lower Mainland, right

back into the city life she’d left so long ago. “It’s so hectic here, such a different way of life,” she regularly observes. EPILOGUE A courageous trooper, she continued making the best of things in retirement with my husband and I. She prepared and cooked dinners, baked cakes and shortbread, dozens of chocolate chip cookies for beloved grandchildren, planned goodies for two weekly social groups, went out for lunches and inspired all she met. “I’m still learning,” she frequently states as she continues adapting and thinking of the future with great enthusiasm. Through the triumphs and sorrows that came her way, Mom maintained a stiff upper British lip, always soldiering onward. A plucky English war bride, her sense of survival and determination served her well throughout her entire life. On visits to the old country, she never aspired to return to where her siblings still live. She’d embraced Canada right from the start. Her sense of adventure allowed her to fully enjoy her life in Canada. Unlikely to ever happen again, the immigration of this unique group of courageous women

is unprecedented in Canadian history. A saga of fortitude, war bride stories range from uproarious adventures to heartbreaking tales of abandonment and disillusionment. Akin to so many like her, my mother’s story of a wartime love and commitment, hard work and a full, satisfying life is a lasting legacy to family and community alike. Pierre Burton summed up the war bride saga: “They were a remarkable group, these war brides, making what has always been a radical decision, to say goodbye to family and friends and follow a stranger to a new world. This SL country is the better for them.”

The wedding, March 1942 in Hammersmith London.

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NOVEMBER 2008

Canada’s Only Booktown

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARY ANNE HAJER

t’s the rainy season again, time to head indoors, light a ﬁre and curl up with a good book. And there’s no better place to stock up on good books than in Sidney – Canada’s one-and-only Booktown. Handily located on the Saanich Peninsula of Vancouver Island, just an hour-and-a-half ferry ride from the Mainland, this quiet little town boasts 11 bookstores within four blocks of its downtown core, each with its own character and mandate. Bibliophiles can lose themselves for hours, even days, in room after room lined from ﬂoor to ceiling with centuries’ worth of print. They can hunt through stacks of low-priced remainders for yesterday’s hot titles or indulge themselves in the

latest bestsellers. They can take a trip down memory lane in old issues of the Saturday Evening Post and the Star Weekly, or they can bring themselves up-to-date with the most recent periodicals. There are books for every taste and budget in Sidney. Clive and Christine Tanner opened Sidney’s first bookstore, Tanner’s Books, in 1981. A decade later, they opened The Children’s Bookshop and Beacon Books, a secondhand bookstore. “It was around that time,” Clive says, “that we became intrigued with the concept of developing Sidney into a Booktown, a sort of mecca for book lovers.” To find out how it was done, this intrepid couple travelled by plane, train and bus to the world’s first Booktown in Hay-on-Wye, Wales. There, they met with Richard Booth, who, in 1961, conceived the idea of a large number of bookstores in a small area becoming a tourist attraction, giving a much-needed boost to a struggling local economy. His efforts proved successful. Today Hay-on-Wye, a village of 1,900 inhabitants, boasts 39 bookstores that attract close to 500,000 visitors annually. The Tanners returned home feeling that what had worked for Hayon-Wye could also work for Sidney, although perhaps on a smaller scale. They began recruiting other potential bookstore owners to set up shop in the same area. “We got lots of inquiries,” says Christine. “People came to see us asking, ‘How much does it cost to set up a bookstore?’, ‘How many

SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

books do I need?’, and ‘What do I want to specialize in?’ So, we helped people get started in that way.” One of the first to heed the call was Cliff McNeil-Smith. “I had been working in bookstores in Calgary,” he says. “I found a website that said, ‘If you’re interested in books and in opening a bookstore, come and see Clive Tanner.” So I phoned Clive, and he said, ‘Come on out and let’s talk.’ I got a flight the next day.” In no time, Cliff was the new owner of Tanner’s Books (selling new books, but also specializing in maps, calendars and an eclectic array of periodicals) and The Children’s Bookshop. Recently, he has opened a third store, Tanner’s Bargain Books, featuring outof-print remainders at bargain prices. The Tanners, now free to concentrate on the business of secondhand books, went on to open four more such shops. Besides Beacon Books, their first and largest store, which handles a general inventory of used books, they also operate Country Life (crafts, gardening, farming – everything to do with country living), Time Enough for Books (an eclectic mix including but not limited to health, psychology, nautical and marine titles, and books about computers), Paperback Writer (only paperbacks, strong on mystery and general fiction, both recent and classic), and The Book Cellar (military and naval matters, aviation, transportation, and also the Royal family). Within the last decade, three more shops have opened their doors. The Haunted Bookshop, a transplant from Victoria and owned by Odean Long,

has been in existence for 61 years and is the oldest antiquarian bookshop on Vancouver Island. It is named after Christopher Morley’s novel about a bookshop in Brooklyn that is “haunted by the ghosts of all great literature.” “We specialize in British literature,” says Odean, “history, children’s books and antiquarian stock, although we have many large sections of other topics. We cater, then, to the recreational reader, to the scholar and to the collector of rarities. We also deal in antique maps.” Next door to The Haunted Bookshop is Galleon Books and Antiques, operated by Rod Laurie and Brian MacLean. As its name suggests, the store deals not only in secondhand books, but in antiques and collectibles, as well. “We decided to specialize with our books and not sell fiction, but rather to concentrate on about 25 non-fiction topics, with B.C. history being the main focus,” says Rod. “That is primarily because Brian is now residing in the Cariboo. He is able to find material published in northern regions, which is often not found here on the Island.” The newest member of Sidney’s bookstore family is Dragon Horse, “a candy store for the spirit.” Here customers can find many products to soothe and heal the psyche, including a large selection of self-help books and books dealing with metaphysical, spiritual and other “feel good” topics. Erin Middlebrooks, proprietor of Dragon Horse, considers it an honour that her store is now included in Booktown. “I get a lot of people looking at our books, sometimes for hours on end,” she says, “and I believe that some of those book lovers must be here because of our being a Booktown.” Cliff agrees. “One couple was going to Victoria for a few days and stopped here because they were curious,” he says. “They didn’t know what a Booktown was. They ended up staying here for three days. They didn’t leave and SL go to Victoria.”

IF YOU GO:

B.C. Ferries out of Tsaww assen docks in Swartz Bay. From there, The B ooktown is a short trip by car or public transp ortation. Alternativ ely, Victoria In ternational Airpo rt is also close by. Visitors can re turn to the Ma inland the same evening or sta y in one of severa l comfortable h o tels located down town. Dine in one of the numero us restaurants , or cozy up out o f the rain in a co ffe e shop, enjoy a latté and dip in to a newly-disco vered treasure . Art galleries, gift shops and an tique stores also te mpt the pass er-by to come in an d browse, wh ile a seawalk ove r three-kilom e tres long offers a chance to st retch the legs and breathe the fr esh sea air. In th e evening the S tar Cinema, also downtown, sh ows ﬁrst-run movi es.

NOVEMBER 2008

Visit Senior Living’s Online Bookstore Discover a Selection of Books by Senior Authors and on Topics of Interest to Seniors NEW RELEASE IDENTITY THEFT: In Your Good Name by George Greenwood

One in four Canadians has been directly affected or knows someone who has been a victim of identity theft. The best prevention is to be aware of the problem and how it is carried out. Published 2007. 173 pages. 8.5”x11” Softcover. Price $26.95

REFLECTIONS, REJECTIONS AND OTHER BREAKFAST FOODS by Gipp Forster

A collection of Gipp Forster’s published columns in Senior Living magazine, with other unpublished writings thrown in for good measure.

EMBRACE THE JOURNEY - A Care Giver’s Story By Valerie Green

The very personal story of her own journey as a care giver to her elderly parents. Relevant for numerous adult children who are faced with a similar challenge. 96 pages. Price $14.95

Price $14.95

TO MOVE OR NOT TO MOVE?

A Helpful Residential Options Guide for Seniors

If you are a senior who has been wondering lately whether you should consider moving - then this is the book that can help you ask the right questions and ﬁnd the solution that is right for you. Published by Senior Living. 128 pages.

Price $9.95

RED TOMATOES By Les MacNeill

Les MacNeill and Marcia Stromsmoe spent 6 years sailing the South Paciﬁc. In 2001, a brutal attack left Les with 8 skull fractures, severe brain trauma, and a ruptured eye. Although not expected to live, he wrote this story of the trip, his recovery, and how he lives with his injuries. Published 2007. 100 pages. 6” x 9” Softcover. Price $14.95

MY PATCHWORK LIFE by Patricia O’Connor

After training as a fashion model in Dublin Patricia O’Connor travelled Europe and the US, working for many top designers. An audition led to several years as a popular TV presenter, followed by a career as a stockbroker and real estate agent. Published by Starcast Publishing. 182 pages.

NATURE’S BOUNTY: Why certain foods are so good for you by Dr. Bala Naidoo

Articles on fruits, vegetables, beverages and other topics, covering the health beneﬁts of ﬁbre, omega-3 fats, folates, antioxidants and other phytonutrients. Reduce the risks of heart disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes and obesity by choosing your food carefully. 176 pages.

Price $21.95

Price $14.95

THE SEARCH FOR JACQUELINE

By Patricia O’Connor

The search for the truth behind the reported death of the mother of top model Annie O’Hanlon. Annie receives an urgent call from journalist Dermot Moore who believes her mother Jacqueline is still alive. Their hunt for answers almost costs Dermot his life. Published 2005 by Publish America. 195 pages.

Price $23.95

THE SPOILS OF ANGEL’S WAR By Dave Sheed

The story unfolds in England at the beginning of WWII. Angela Gibson, affectionately known as Angel, ﬁnds out that it isn’t always the plans that we make for our life, sometimes it’s the plans that life makes for us that determines the course of our life. Published 2007 by Publish America. 144 pages.

Price $20.00

GIPP FORSTER’S COLLECTED RAMBLINGS

NATURE’S BOUNTY: More about foods for a longer and healthier life

A collage of over 150 anecdotes and insightful ruminations on life’s experiences, ﬁrst aired on C-FAX radio, now provided in print format for your reading enjoyment. Published 1989. 188 pages. 5.5” x 8.5” Softcover.

Articles on fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and other foods. It shows how, by choosing your food properly, you can reduce the risks of heart disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes and obesity. Published 2005. 168 pages.

by Gipp Forster

by Dr. Bala Naidoo

Price $10.00

Price $21.95

NUDE ON A FENCE by Eliza Hemingway

Fourteen short stories about people in compromising situations similar to being caught nude on a fence. Some are humorous, others poignant. Published 2006. 269 Price $17.95 pages. x 5.25” Softcover. SENIOR LIVING8.25” VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

Purchase these items online at

www.seniorlivingmag.com

GST and Shipping Costs will apply. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery

BBB Better Better Better Better

Business Business Business Business

Bureau Bureau Bureau Bureau

SCAM ALERT

BY LYNDA PASACRETA

Suspicious Slamming

eing “slammed” is the term used to describe an unauthorized change of phone service provider. Better Business Bureau (BBB) has received an influx of calls over the past weeks from consumers across B.C. finding themselves victims of an unscrupulous phone plan switch. While the tactics being used in this scam vary significantly, some common elements exist. Consumers answer their phones to find a telemarketer clearly identifying himself or herself as a representative or associate of their current service provider (i.e. a business with a familiar name). The representative states the consumer is an excellent customer and the company would like to offer him or her a great opportunity, or a new package of services. The representative confirms billing information and gets the consumer to verbally agree to a new package of services. Sometime during the next month or so, the consumer is billed for services from a company whose name he or she does not recognize and at rates that are often poor compared to the original service plan. In some instances, consumers claim their phone service provider has been changed with no notification whatsoever. The challenge with this scam is that the standard practice of a business calling a client to discuss services is being fraudulently manipulated by dishonest telemarketers who are acting on behalf of another company. Being able to discern between legitimate calls from local service providers and ripoff artists is becoming more difficult for consumers. To protect yourself from becoming a victim of a phone or any other service provider switching scam, bear in mind the following tips: • Consumers always have the choice with whom they do business. Before agreeing to do business with any company, visit www.bbbvan.org to see if the company is a BBB Accredited Business. • Take time to make informed decisions. When being solicited by phone, try not to feel pressured or rushed into accepting an offer. Collect the relevant information from the company, and tell them you will think about their offer and call them back. Hang up if you feel the sales representative is being too pushy. When you are ready, and if you are in-

terested in the offer, contact the company’s customer service department (using the phone number on a past bill) and ask to discuss the offer further. • Unless you initiated the call, never confirm or give out personal information regarding your service accounts, or financial institutions over the phone. • To reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls you receive, register your home phone, cellular or residential fax number on the free National Do Not Call List (DNCL). When registering by phone or fax, calls must be made from the phone number to be registered. It will take approximately 30 days for your registration to take effect. Visit www.LNNTEDNCL.gc.ca or call 1-866-580-DNCL (3625) to register. If you feel you have been slammed, consider taking the following actions: 1) Contact your original phone service provider immediately, explain your situation, ask them to check your file and request to be switched back to your original plan. 2) File a complaint with the company that slammed you. 3) When billed by the company that slammed you, pay only the rate you would have paid through your original phone service provider. Request a cancellation of service with your payment. 4) Consider informing the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC, call 1-877-2211687), PhoneBusters (the Canadian anti-fraud call centre, call 1-888-495-8501), the Competition Bureau (suggest it is an anti-competitive practice, call 1-800-348-5358) and file a complaint with BBB. For more helpful consumer tips and alerts on current scams SL affecting your area, visit BBB at www.bbbvan.org

Lynda Pasacreta is President of the Better Business Bureau of Mainland B.C. For conﬁdence in marketplace transactions, contact the BBB to check a company report or Buyers’ Tip before you purchase or invest. www.bbbvan.org or 604-682-2711. To contact Lynda Pasacreta, e-mail her at president@bbbvan.org NOVEMBER 2008

Senior Living Vancouver & Lower Mainland Distribution Locations

ABBOTSFORD A&W - FRASER DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOC ABBOTSFORD REC CENTRE ABC RESTAURANT - MARSHALL FAMILY RESTAURANT - ESSENDENE FV REGONAL LIBRARY FV SENIOR’S RESOURCE CNTRE GREYHOUND BUS STN IGA MATSQUI REC CENTER MEDICAL CLINIC - S FRASER HWY MEDICHAIR MSA GENERAL HOSPITAL PEOPLES DRUG MART SEVEN OAKS MALL SHOPPERS DRUG MART TRIANGLE COMMUNITY CENTRE WALNUT GROVE COMM CENTRE ZELLERS ALDERGROVE ALDERGROVE MALL EXTRA FOODS BURNABY ABC RESTAURANT AMICA @ RIDEAU MANOR BRENTWOOD SKYTRAIN STN BOB PRITTIE PUBLIC LIBRARY BONSOR COMMUNITY CENTRE BRENTWOOD MALL CUST SERV BRENTWOOD SKY TRAIN STN BURNABY GENERAL HOSPITAL CAMERON RECREATION CENTRE CHOICES MARKET IN THE PARK CONFED COMM CNTR FOR 55+ EASTBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE EDMONDS COMM CENTER FOR 55+ EDMONDS PUBLIC LIBRARY EDMONDS SKYTRAIN STN EILEEN DAILEY FITNESS CENTRE GILMORE SKYTRAIN STATION HILTON HOTEL HOLDOM SKYTRAIN STATION IGA KENSINGTON COMM REC OFFICE LANCASTER MEDICAL LAKE CITY SKYTRAIN STATION LOUGHEED SKYTRAIN STN MCGILL PUBLIC LIBRARY MEDICHAIR METROTOWN BUS LOOP MULBERRY SENIOR’S RESIDENCE NORBURN MED CENTRE OLD ORCHARD MEDICAL CLINIC PATTERSON SKYTRAIN STN PRODUCTION WAY SKYTRAIN STN ROYAL OAK SKY TRAIN STN. SAFEWAY SFU LIBRARY SPERLING SKYTRAIN STATION STATION SQUARE MEDICAL CLINIC TIM HORTON’S

VANCITY - 2991 LOUGHEED VANCITY - 5064 KINGSWAY WILLINGDON COMMUNITY CENTRE WHITESPOT CLOVERDALE CLOVERDALE LIBRARY COQUITLAM ABC RESTAURANT BREAD GARDEN CITY CENTRE AQUATIC CENTRE COQUITLAM CITY CENTRE LIBRARY COQUITLAM LIBRARY DOGWOOD PAVILION GLEN PINE PAVILION MEDICHAIR POIRIER COMMUNITY CENTRE PARK & RIDE SHOPPERS DRUG MART SOCIAL REC CENTRE SUPER VALU DELTA AUGUSTINE HOUSE KENNEDY SENIOR’S REC CENTRE LADNER COMM CENTRE LADNER PIONEER LIBRARY LADNER PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT MCKEE SENIORS RECREATION CENTRE NORTH DELTA HEALTH UNIT NORTH DELTA REC CENTRE PINEWOOD LEISURE REC CENTRE SOUTH DELTA RECREATION CENTRE SUN GOD AQUATIC CENTRE WINSKILL AQUATIC CENTRE VANCITY FORT LANGLEY FORT LANGLEY LIBRARY IGA LANGLEY A & W - 6241 200 ST A & W - 19705 FRASER BROOKSWOOD LIBRARY CASTLEBAY COFFEE HOUSE DOUGLAS REC CENTRE ESQUIRES COFFEE FORT LANGLEY SPORT PLEX GLOVER MEDICAL CLINIC LANGLEY LIBRARY MARKET PLACE IGA PORT KELLS PUB LIBRARY TIM HORTON’S TIMMS COMMUNITY CENTRE WALNUT GROVE COMM CENTRE WALNUT GROVE LIB MAPLE RIDGE MAPLE RIDGE HOSPITAL MAPLE RIDGE LEISURE CENTRE MAPLE RIDGE LIBRARY VANCITY

SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

NEW WESTMINSTER 22ND ST SKYTRAIN STN BRAID SKYTRAIN STATION CARE POINT MEDICAL CENTRE CENTENNIAL COMMUNITY CENTER CNTR OF INTEGRATION FOR AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS CENTURY HOUSE COLUMBIA ST STN NEW WESTMINISTER QUAY NEW WESTMINSTER LIBRARY QUEENBOROUGH COMMUNITY CENTER QUEENS PARK ARENEX ROYAL COLUMBIAN HOSPITAL TIM HORTON’S

CAMBIE PUBLIC LIBRARY GARDEN CITY MED CLINIC GATEWAY THEATRE HAMILTON COMMUNITY CENTRE IRONWOOD LIBRARY MINORU AQUATIC CENTRE MINORU ARENA MINORU SENIOR CENTRE PEACHTREE PANTRY SEAFAIR MED CLINIC SHOPPERS DRUG MART SOUTH ARM COMMUNITY CENTRE STEVESTON COMMUNITY CENTRE THOMPSON COMMUNITY CENTRE WEST RICHMOND COMMUNITY CTR

NORTH VANCOUVER 2ND NARROWS BUS LOOP BREAD GARDEN CAPILANO COLLEGE CHURCHILL HOUSE LION’S GATE HOSPITAL LONSDALE QUAY LYNN VALLEY MEDICAL CLINIC MEDICAL CLINIC - 1940 LONSDALE AVE MOUNT SEYMOUR MEDICAL CLINIC NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY RESOURCES NORTH SHORE NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE NORTH SHORE WINTER CLUB NORTH VANCOUVER CITY LIBRARY NUTRITION HOUSE PARKGATE LIBRARY PEMBERTON & MARINE MEDICAL CLINIC SEA BUS TERMINAL QUEENSDALE MARKET SILVER HARBOUR MANOR SUPER VALU WAL MART WESTVIEW MEDICAL CLINIC WHITE SPOT

SURREY ABC RESTAURANT - 7380 KING GEO ABC RESTAURANT - 2160 KING GEO ABC RESTAURANT 10410-158TH ST. A&W AQUATIC CENTRE BINO’S RESTAURANT BLENZ COFFEE BREAD GARDEN - 152 ST BREAD GARDEN - GUILDF’D TN CTR BOUNDRY PARK MEDICAL CLINIC BUY RITE FOODS CLOVERDALE LIBRARY CLOVERDALE REC CENTRE CLOVERHILL MARKET ESQUIRES COFFEE - 1959 152 ST ESQUIRES COFFEE - 16011 FRASER FLEETWOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE FLEETWOOD LIBRARY GATEWAY SKYTRAIN STN GEORGE MACKIE LIBRARY GUILDFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY KING GEORGE SKYTRAIN STN LONDON DRUGS MEDICAL CLINIC - 12818 72 AVE MEDICHAIR NEW HOPE CHURCH NEWTON ARENA NEWTON GENERAL NEWTON LIBRARY NEWTON WAVE POOL N SURREY PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT N SURREY REC CENTRE OCEAN PARK LIBRARY PEACE ARCH COMMUNITY CLINIC PEACH ARCH PROFESSIONAL PHARMASAVE 10654 KING GEORGE PHARMASAVE 9558 - 120TH ST RICKY’S RESTAURANT SCOTT RD SKYTRAIN STN (N) SCOTT RD SKYTRAIN STN (S) SEMIAHMOO PUBLIC LIBRARY SHOPPERS DRUG MART SOUTH SURREY INDOOR POOL SOUTH SURREY REC CENTRE STRAWBERRY HILL LIBRARY SURREY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

PITT MEADOWS PITT MEADOWS REC CENTRE PITT MEADOWS LIBRARY SHOPPER DRUG MART PORT COQUITLAM PORT COQ REC COMPLEX/ WILSON REC CENTRE TERRY FOX LIBRARY PORT MOODY EAGLE RIDGE HOSP PORT MOODY ARTS CENTRE PORT MOODY COMM SERVICES PORT MOODY LIBRARY PORT MOODY SOCIAL REC CENTRE ROBI’S DONUTS RICHMOND ABC RESTAURANT BRIGHOUSE LIBRARY BUS STOP - 6390 #3 RD CAMBIE COMMUNITY CENTRE

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE

MAINLAND DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS - CONTINUED SURREY CENTRAL SKYTRAIN STN THE CHEMISTS PHARMACY TOM BINNIE PARK COMM CENTRE VANCITY - 7380 KING GEORGE VANCITY - 1293 KING GEORGE VANCITY - 15175 101 AVE WHALLEY LIBRARY WHALLEY MEDICAL CLINIC WHITE SPOT YMCA SURREY VANCOUVER 411 SENIOR’S CENTRE AMICA AT ARBUTUS MANOR ARBUTUS MALL ARBUTUS CLUB ARTS CLUB THEATRE BARCLAY MANOR BC WOMENS HOSPITAL BLENZ BREAD GARDEN - 889 PENDER ST BREAD GARDEN - 1040 DENMAN BRITANNIA COMM CENTRE BRITANNIA LIBRARY BROADWAY & BURRARD WALK IN BROCK HOUSE SOCIETY BURRARD SKYTRAIN BUS STOP - 750 BROADWAY CAPERS - 2285 4TH AVE CAPERS - 1675 ROBSON ST CARE MEDICAL CENTRE CARE POINT MEDICAL CENTRE CARNEGIE CENTRE LIBRARY CENTRAL MARKET - 830 THURLOW CHAMPLAIN HEIGHTS COMM CNTR CHAMPLAIN HEIGHTS LIBRARY CHOICES MARKET - 1202 RICHARDS CHOICES MARKET - 1888 57 ST CHOICES MARKET - 2627 16 AVE

CITY SQUARE FAMILY PRACTICE COLLINGWOOD HOUSE COLLINGWOOD LIBRARY CROFTEN MANOR DENMAN COMMUNITY CTR DENMAN MALL DIAMOND HEALTH CARE CENTRE DOUGLAS PARK COMM CENTRE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY - 2ND FL DUNBAR COMMUNITY CENTRE DUNBAR PUBLIC LIBRARY FALSE CREEK COMMUNITY CENTRE FAMILY FIRST DENTAL FIREHALL LIBRARY FRASERVIEW LIBRARY GARDEN CAFE GF STRONG REHAB CENTRE GRANVILLE MEDICAL CLINIC HARBOUR CENTRE HASTINGS COMMUNITY CENTRE HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY HEALTH CENTRE - 1282 HORNBY ST JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE JOE FORTES LIBRARY JOYCE SKYTRAIN STN KENSINGTON COMMUNITY CENTRE KENSINGTON LIBRARY KERRISDALE SENIORS CENTRE KERRISDALE LIBRARY KEVIN JAMES DAY PHOTOGRAPHY KHATSALANO MED CLINIC KILLARNEY COMMUNITY CENTRE KILLARNEY MARKET KITSILANO COMM CENTRE KITSILANO NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE KITSILANO PUBLIC LIBRARY KIWASSA NEIGHBORHD HOUSE LANGARA - 100, 49TH AVE W LEGATO COFFEE

MAGAZINE

LITTLE MOUNTAIN NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE LONDON DRUGS - 1187 ROBSON MAIN & MARINE MEDICAL CLINIC MAIN ST SKYTRAIN STN MARPOLE COMMUNITY CENTRE MARPOLE LIBRARY MAYPOLE MEDICAL CLINIC MEDICAL CLINIC - 1280 GRANVILLE MERCADO MALL MID-MAIN COMM HEALTH CENTRE MT PLEASANT COMMUNITY CENTRE MT PLEASANT NGHBRHD HOUSE OAKRIDGE LIBRARY OAKRIDGE SENIOR’S CENTRE O’KEEFE SENIOR LIVING APT RAYCAM COMMUNITY CENTRE RENFREW COMMUNITY CENTRE RENFREW PUBLIC LIBRARY RILEY PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE RILEY PARK LIBRARY ROBSON PUBLIC MARKET ROUNDHOUSE COMMUNITY CENTRE ROYAL CENTRE MEDICAL RUPERT SKYTRAIN STN SEABUS TERMINAL SHOPPERS DRUG MART SORRENTO MARKET STADIUM SKYTRAIN STN SINCLAIR CENTRE S GRANVILLE SENIOR’S CENTRE SOUTH HILL LIBRARY ST PAUL HOSPITAL STRATHCONA COMMUNITY CENTRE STRATHCONA LIBRARY SUN LIFE PLAZA SYMPHONY CAFE TOURISM VANCOUVER THUNDERBIRD COMMUNITY CENTRE

TROUT LAKE COMMUNITY CENTRE UBC HOSPITAL VANCITY - 2233 4 AVE VANCITY - 5590 VICTORIA DR VANCITY - 501 10 AVE VANCITY - 4516 10 AVE VANCITY - 1675 COMMERCIAL VGH EMERGENCY VGH MAIN ENTRANCE WEST POINT GREY PUBLIC LIBRARY WEST END SENIORS NETWORK WEST END AQUATIC CENTRE WHITE SPOT - 580 GEORGIA VANCOUVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE YMCA COMMUNITY SERVICES WEST VANCOUVER BUS STOP 2002 PARK ROYAL BUS STOP 2051 PARK ROYAL CAPERS - 2496 MARINE GLENEAGLES COMMUNITY CENTRE HOLLYBURN HOUSE SUPER VALU WEST VAN MEMORIAL LIBRARY WEST VANCOUVER COMM CENTRE VANCITY - 1402 MARINE DR WHITE ROCK BUENA VISTA LIBRARY CAFE ON THE BEACH CHOICES MARKET GROC STORE - 1300 JOHNSTON RD KENT SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTRE PEACE ARCH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL SHOPPERS HOME HEALTH SKYLINE MARKET W ROCK/S SURREY PUB HEALTH UNIT

Now distributed at all Pharmasave stores throughout BC.

VANCOUVER ISLAND EDITION DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT VANCOUVER ISLAND BC

VANCOUVER EDITION DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT MAINLAND BC

Recommend a Distribution Location Near You! Senior Living is looking for convenient, high trafﬁc distribution locations throughout the Greater Vancouver region. If you know of a place of business or activity centre that would be a convenient location for interested readers to pick up our magazine, let us know. Email: ofﬁce@seniorlivingmag.com Phone 1-877-479-4705 NOVEMBER 2008

You and Your RRIF BY JULIA JENKINS, EPC

Source: globeandmail.com

5-YEAR CHART

Caught in the World Equity Slide? If you are wondering these days what hit your RRIF, other than the scheduled withdrawals, you are not alone. If your RRIF is based on mutual funds or a stock portfolio, you may be in shock. You may be diversiﬁed among Canadian, U.S., and global investments. Did that help you reduce risk of loss from market volatility? Nope. You may have a portfolio of blue chip dividend paying shares, but even their capital value has tanked along with all equity-based investments, right? WHAT WENT WRONG? What’s the solution? Every advisor is required to know the client. When meeting with your advisor, you would have replied to a set of questions contained in a ‘Know Your Client’ form or KYC. Investment objectives: income or growth? RRIFs require income. How much annual income do you need? Is the capital base of the RRIF able to supply what you need? What other sources of income do you have? What other assets do you have? What is your risk tolerance (be truthful!)? Can you afford to lose any money in the RRIF from market inﬂuences? In particular, when an advi26

sor recommends investments for your RRIF, he or she must make sure that the minimum schedule will be funded, and that market fluctuation will not decimate your RRIF. The duty of an advisor is to match the investments with your personal criteria. A RRIF investment imposes its own criteria that override other investment options: primarily, need for consistent income and low or no volatility arising from market fluctuation. Market fluctuation within a RRIF creates mathematically predictable traps for the investor. Example: Your RRIF value at the start of the year is $100,000. Units are valued at $10. Your personal mandatory withdrawal may be 5 per cent during the year, or $416.66 per month, or 41.66 units. Now, the unit market value drops 20 per cent to $8. How many units must you redeem to make up your mandatory minimum payment? 52. Each withdrawal locks in your 20 per cent loss, and the longer the downturn continues, the more that dynamic erodes your capital base. The last cycle began with a market peak in 2000, followed by recession in 2001. Markets recovered to the peak

SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

only in 2006. In the current cycle, after bottoming and losing units through withdrawals, fewer units will be left to regain value. Your losses will have compounded against you. The markets may eventually recover. Your RRIF cannot. Do the math. Another market trap: The market slides 50 per cent. The percentage of increase required to regain the starting point is 100 per cent, or double. Look at market history to ﬁnd out how long this takes. In 2000, the Toronto Stock Exchange was at 11,389 points; by 2002, it was down to 5,695. It took four more years to exceed the 2000 level. But wait! Where are we now? October 6, 2008, the TSX was down again to 10,230, roller-coastering sideways for eight years. Huh? Does this tell you and the advisors where you should not be with your RRIF, or any investment upon which you depend for income? WHAT TO DO NOW? There are solutions. But, all indicators and historical charts warn of prolonged recession ahead and slow recovery of values. Waiting it out to recover your losses while you continue to withdraw income from your RRIF is the higher risk to your capital base.

Changing now to more secure marketproof investments is the lower risk, and carries the better chance of preventing further erosion. Abandoning the sinking ship of equity investments? Switching from RRSP to RRIF? Consider lower risk, well-secured interest-generating options. 1) Bonds, GICs, Annuities – low risk, low return. During recession, interest rates decline, causing bond values to rise with some bond market fluctuation. If you hold equity mutual funds, you may be able to switch to bond funds with little cost. 2) Mortgage pools – the MIC (Mortgage Investment Corporation) is a “Canadian-only” investment, usually available from issuers direct or their representatives. Interest compounds or pays your RRIF schedule. Excellent choice for RRSP, too; good security, medium return. 3) Insurance company retirement accounts – some interesting non-equity choices here. Check websites, or call an insurance agent specializing in retirement planning. Low risk, low to medium return; some guarantees. ROLE OF THE PLANNER: Seek out a qualified Financial Planner or Elder Planning Counsellor. He or she will be familiar with suitable RRIF investments, should provide you with a valuable report, advise you of defensive adjustments and walk you through your decisions. Now that you know what went wrong, take control. Protect your finanSL cial future. This information is not an offering to purchase or sell, and is based on research and information thought to be correct, but is not guaranteed. Investigate before you invest. Your decisions Breaking for lunch. are your own.

s d e fi i s s a Cl TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. Rent recumbent & upright bikes, treadmills, elliptical trainers or rowers. Details at www.advantagehealthandfitness.com or 1-800-661-4737. RETIREMENT RESIDENCE IN BEAUTIFUL VICTORIA. Exceptional two bedroom penthouse with fireplace vaulted ceiling in prime independent living retirement residence. 24hour staffing and services provided. Walk to Senior recreation Centre, shopping and seawalk. $279,000 Dave Hillmer Newport Realty 1-888-886-1286. IMMACULATE SENIOR-FRIENDLY 1BDRM CONDO. Only a five minute walk to the waterfront in downtown Nanaimo. Pets welcome. $167,500. fredericks_ heather@hotmail.com 250-240-6766. THE MOVIE ABOUT YOU! Filmmaker interviews parents and you. Save photos and slides with video. It’s your own life story family film. www.heirloomfilms.ca 604-275-4900 604-417-6058.

RESORT STYLE RETIREMENT LIVING WHITEROCK. 5-star hotel living. Elegantly Furnished. 1-bdrm suite, full kitchen, in suite laundry. Resort includes - gourmet dining, security, emergency response, wellness centre, pool, theatre. Close to safeway, medical, pharmacy. Includes parking, scooter storage. Rent $2750. Call 604-542-5756. HOME SUPPORT SERVICES

Seeking Independence? Moving or Downsizing? • Companionship • Meal Preparation • Shopping • Home Safety Checks • Errands • Handyman Services • Housekeeping Care 4 You Transitions 778-855-9086 care4youtransitions.com DO YOU NEED COMPANIONSHIP so you can stay in your home? Someone to help you in the house, get around town? Someone to help you with special medical needs? We provide live-in caregivers with experience from HK, UK, Paris, Israel, Italy and Taiwan. Give us a call 1 888 308 7971 or 604 602 7528 or email to employers@platinumnurses.com

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING $30 for 20 words or less. $1.25 per extra word. Boxed Ad - Small (2.2 x 1.2) $95. Boxed Ad - Large (2.2 x 2.4) $180. Add Logo/Color - $25 extra. Plus 5% GST. All Classiﬁed ads must be prepaid.Cheque or Credit Card accepted. Ph. (250)479-4705. Deadline: 15th of the month. Make cheque payable to: Senior Living, 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave.,Victoria BC V8T 2C1

EVENTS LISTINGS Event listings will be accepted for publication in the classified section. To qualify for free placement, events must be free to the public, of interest and benefit to our Vancouver readership, be under 50 words in length, and have no connection to a business or commercial venture - i.e. no company benefits financially as a result of the event. If the event has a charge attached to it or there is a commercial connection or financial benefit, the listing will be charged at the Classified Rate (see above). Senior Living has the right to refuse any listings it deems as unsuitable and has the final decision on whether a listing qualifies for free placement. Submit all listings to office@seniorlivingmag.com before the 15th of the month prior to publication. NOVEMBER 2008

CREATIVE COMPOSITION STORY AND PHOTO BY KEVIN MCKAY

reativity runs strong through Paul Headrick’s family. For most of them, the outlet is music. For Paul, it’s writing. But the exposure to and the love of music have served this selfconfessed black sheep well in his composition as it is often featured prominently in his stories. Born in Vancouver 51 years ago, Paul was raised in the city and graduated in the mid-1970s from Point Grey Secondary School. His father worked on a printing press, but also studied and taught classical guitar. His mother worked as a bookkeeper, but her true love was singing. For many years, she belonged to choirs, often more than one at a time. Paul’s sister is a classical violinist who performs and teaches. Though he claims he has no musical talent and no impulse to make music, “it’s a highly important thing in my life,” he says, “I grew up surrounded by music and I love it.” Following high school, Paul brieﬂy attended Simon Fraser University before giving it up, uncertain what he wanted to do. He enrolled at BCIT in the Broadcast Journalism program and, following graduation, was lucky enough to 28

SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

find work for two years as a remote reporter for radio station CKIQ in Kelowna. He followed this up with two more years in the same position for CKNW in the Lower Mainland. While he enjoyed the work, something was missing in his life and, one day, he realized what it was: to study English at university. So, he dropped everything and headed back to school. The first decision was where to go. Years earlier, while on vacation, Paul fell in love with Montreal. This made his decision an easy one: he enrolled in the bachelor of arts in English program at Concordia University. His final undergraduate year was spent as an exchange student at University College in London, England. Once this opportunity was behind him, he settled in to finish his studies, obtaining his Masters in Creative Writing from Concordia and his PhD from York University in Toronto. Near the end of his formal education, Paul decided to return to Vancouver. He sent out applications looking for work and was thrilled when he landed a teaching position at Langara College in Vancouver, his first choice. For the last 15 years, Paul has taught English, usually four classes per semester, two semesters per year. For the last several years, he has taught in the summer and fall sessions, taking January to April off to write somewhere warmer than Canada, along with his partner Heather, also a professor. Paul treasures the time they have together. “It is so much easier to write and be productive when you are with someone who is interested in the same thing,” he says. The couple writes together every year now, but that wasn’t always the case. Even after receiving his master of arts in creative writing, Paul felt he wasn’t ready to be a writer. He wanted to teach first. For five or six years, in addition to his other classes, he taught a course in creative writing, helping hundreds of students become better writers. Only then did he have the confidence and conviction to give it a try himself.

Scotia. He received a response almost immediately: they wanted to see his book. Paul was thrilled and quickly sent the manuscript. For six months, he waited for a response but his patience paid off; they agreed to publish the book. Paul says the writing process is mostly hard work, though occasionally inspiration strikes. On one occasion, the idea for a short story popped into his head while he sat at a picnic table reading the newspaper. He created that

story in his head on the way home, and later wrote it down. That happens very rarely and most of his stories are the result of months of hard work. “Most real writers work hard, treatSL ing writing like a job.” That Tune Clutches My Heart was released in October, and is available at most bookstores. Paul will read from his book and meet the public at the South Granville Seniors Centre on Dec 9. Call the Centre at 604-732-0812 for more information.

Reﬂections, Rejections, and Other Breakfast Foods Reflection��s,�� t and Other Breakfas

Foods

Limited Edition

Limited Edition!! A collection of Gipp Forster’s published columns in Senior Living magazine, with other unpublished writings thrown in for good measure. A unique blend of humor and nostalgia, Gipp’s writings touch your heart in such an irresistible way, you will want to buy not only a copy for yourself, but as a wonderful gift for friends and family members. 128 pages Softcover • Published by Senior Living

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& Unpublished Writings A Collection of Published nist Gipp Forster by Senior Living Colum

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He took a six-month leave of absence from the college to focus on his writing. The effort Paul put into teaching others to write served him well, as he also learned at the same time and was able to apply this to his writing. “I had a much clearer sense of story structure and a much firmer grasp on how to improve them,” he says. He finished many short stories during that time and started sending them out to various journals and magazines. An overnight success, he was not. Rejection slips piled up, an experience common to most new writers. It took a while before he had a story published, but, when it finally happened, Paul was overjoyed to receive his first publishing credit. Since then, many of his stories have been published in magazines including the Malahat Review and Event Magazine. “The difference between having no stories in print and having one story in print is far bigger than any subsequent jump,” he says. To this point, Paul has written 30 short stories, 11 of which are what he calls his “music collection.” These are stories in which Paul plays homage to the musicians he admires and his love of music. Of these, eight have been published. And then came the novel. Paul had an idea for a story that simply could not be contained in a short story and called for a larger piece of work. The book took a year and a half to write and is set in Vancouver during the 1940s. In this fictional tale, the students at one school are divided between admirers of Frank Sinatra and fans of Bing Crosby. Paul found it difficult, at first, to write from the perspective of his protagonist, a teenage girl. When he needed help he relied on his niece who is near the same age as the main character, which came to be titled, That Tune Clutches My Heart, a line from Cole Porter’s “Begin the Beguine.” When the novel was finished, Paul set about looking for a publisher. He sent out a query letter along with two short stories from the music collection to Gaspereau Press in Kentville, Nova

NOVEMBER 2008

ASK

Photo: Jason van der Valk

Goldie

BY GOLDIE CARLOW, M.ED

Dear Goldie: I am writing with hope that you can guide me down the right path. A year ago, I became a widower after 45 years of happy marriage. Unfortunately, my wife suffered a chronic illness in the last two years of her life. The fact that we knew her death was imminent, however, gave us time to discuss and plan for my remaining years. She was adamant that I not spend them alone. I have met a widow in my bridge club and she had a happy marriage too, but like me is feeling lonely. We have dated for a few months and would now like to tie the knot. Some of my close friends think I am rushing things. What would you advise? –R.L. Dear R.L.: The fact that you are seeking advice indicates you are not

JULY 2008 VANCOUVER ISLAND

Housing Guide for Seniors Up-to-date listings of senior housing facilities throughout Vancouver Island, including Independent/Supportive Living, Assisted Living and Complex Care. This guide is an indispensable resource to:

• seniors looking for alternative housing • seniors moving to Vancouver Island from other parts of BC or out of province • children of seniors who are assisting their parent to select a housing option • professionals who work with seniors or their families • businesses that provide services to seniors.

Listings include addresses and contact information, housing costs, number of units in the housing complex, hospitality services, optional home care services, amenities and security features. View Online at: www.seniorlivingmag.com

(Look for HOUSING GUIDE> To view a copy...)

OR have a copy mailed direct to your home...

Please mail a cheque for $5.25 ($5 plus GST), along with your name, phone number and address, to Senior Living, 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1. We will mail you a copy of this resourceful housing guide upon receipt of payment. 30

SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

entirely certain about the marriage. Close friends want the best for you, so appreciate their concern. I assume you and your lady friend have discussed this matter thoroughly. If not, it would be wise to do so immediately. It is not easy for people in their senior years to change their life habits. The longer the two of you spend together before marriage, the less shock you will encounter after. You were very fortunate in having discussed this with your first wife, which eliminates any guilt in remarriage. It seems time is the only factor now. Spend as much time together as possible and, if all goes well, consider marriage when another year from your first wife’s death has passed. Best of luck! Dear Goldie: I am in my late sixties and have been a widow for five years. My life is busy doing volunteer work and adding to my education. I have many good friends and attend many social events. My problem is that I have been dating a gentleman for over a year and would like to stop the relationship but do not want to hurt him. He is a great friend, but continually hints at marriage, and I am not interested. How can I persuade him to leave things as they are? –D.C. Dear D.C.: When I receive letters like yours, my first question is, “Why is it so difficult to communicate your feelings to each other?” Perhaps it is easier to write about emotions. It sounds like you are operating on different wavelengths. It is unhealthy to continue dating with such differing expectations. You must learn to improve your communication skills so you don’t find yourself in a similar relationship again. Marriage is not always the best outcome in senior relationships. Each individual is well entrenched in a lifetime of beliefs and daily habits. Change does not occur easily. Clear discussion and keen listening will help both of you to plan for life ahead – whether together or apart. Only you can commuSL nicate what you truly want.

Senior Peer Counselling Centres (Lower Mainland) New Westminster 604-519-1064 North Vancouver 604-987-8138 Burnaby 604-291-2258 Richmond 604-279-7034 Vancouver West End 604-669-7339 Coquitlam – Tri-Cities 604-945-4480

Goldie Carlow is a retired registered nurse, clinical counsellor and senior peer counselling trainer. Send letters to Senior Living, Box 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria, BC V8T 2C1.

Crossword PUZZLE

Mind GAMES

Across 1. Support for oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back 7. Wool cleaning brush 11. Native of Saxony 12. A North American Plains people 14. Serious wrongdoing 15. Thrash 16. Turves 17. Look again 18. Having wealth 19. Vesicle 20. Sky color 22. Russian peninsular 23. Lean and sinewy 26. More wan 28. Daybreak 31. Large scale integration (electronics) 32. Short Edward 33. Snicker 34. Find the sum of 37. Ocean

Down 38. Nigerian capital 39. Smarter 41. High mountain 43. Won in one stroke 44. Glossy 45. Probability 46. Daily fare of food 47. Member of a Nguni people 49. Church recess 52. Continuous dull pain 54. Loft 57. Endure 58. Pronoun 59. Laziness 60. Freed 61. Gravy 62. Copied 63. Growing again

1. Uncover 2. Line about which a rotation occurs 3. Obtain 4. Rest on the knees 5. Worn by women in India 6. Lake Tahoe river 7. Waterfalls 8. Marine call 9. Staffs 10. Intend 11. Illegible handwriting 13. Loathe 15. Fear greatly 21. Upswept hairdo 24. Son of Abraham 25. Crest 27. Boundary 29. In front 30. Open country 35. Walked unsteadily 36. List from which to choose 38. California city 39. Person who watches 40. Dimensions 42. Human mind 44. Chairs 45. Lawless person 48. Rope with running noose 50. Quick look 51. An auction 53. Conceal 55. Advertise boastfully 56. Irritate ANSWERS

NOVEMBER 2008

Reﬂections THEN & NOW

BY GIPP FORSTER

y wife and I have been invited to host a tour (actually, a cruise) during Christmas season 2009 in Germany and Austria. It’s called “Christmas on the Danube,” and I extend an invitation to any and all who would like to join us. An informative get-together will be held at Gateway Baptist Church on November 12 at 7 p.m. Whenever I hear the word “Danube,” however, I immediately conjure up waltzing in my mind, and I can’t waltz! I have a tough time walking any signiﬁcant distance, let alone twirling around the dance ﬂoor with my lovely wife. My wife just said to replace the word “twirling” with “stumbling” so readers get a better idea of what I’m talking about. My wife is a very understanding woman, and I appreciate her help. At least I think I do. So then, how can I possibly visit Vienna and not dance, especially on the Danube? (“Not without getting wet,” my wife adds.) I’m going to ignore her help now. I’ve only been on one cruise in my life and I’ve certainly never hosted one. My wife and I went on an Alaskan cruise. “A long way to go to get fresh ice in your drink.” (I was trying a little humour there.) My wife just cried, “Try harder!” I have to master this ignoring business. I’m not very good at it! Anyway, as I was saying, cruises aren’t big on my experience list. And hosting one, I guess you could say, is off the map for me. But invite me they did, and I’m going to do the best I know how. 32

They say when you get married two people are made one. I’m glad my wife is co-hosting because at least one of us will know what I’m doing, and that is very comforting. I’m looking forward to being in Nuremberg because of its beauty and history. But the big thing for me will be the celebration that takes place there during the Christmas season. Its Christ-

I picture reﬂections of stars on a blue-black surface of water with soft Christmas carols playing faintly in the background. mas market, I am told, is breathtaking! I didn’t know until recently that Nuremberg is the toy making capital of Europe, and I’m excited about seeing it. I wonder if they will allow us to play with the toys. (Just kidding! Well, kind of...) I’m not the best traveller in the world, although I did quite a bit of it in my youth. In those days, I didn’t know what I was doing. They say “ignorance is bliss.” I’ve sure had a lot of bliss in my life! My wife is a great traveller. She loves it and has been to many more places than me. In the past few years, she’s travelled to Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales, Africa, Wisconsin and Sooke! I went with her to Sooke. She went with her daughter to the

SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

Photo: Krystle Wiseman

ON THE DANUBE

United Kingdom – a trip they had always wanted to take. I would have gone too, but I didn’t feel I’d look too good in a kilt. Africa and Wisconsin were missionary journeys through Gateway Baptist Church. My wife is a deacon there. Going to Sooke with her was a lot of fun! That’s one of the few places you don’t need a passport. Good memories! Who knows, we may even get a chance to revisit. But now my future tells me of a Christmas on the Danube. It sounds so romantic, doesn’t it? “Christmas on the Danube.” I picture reﬂections of stars on a blue-black surface of water with soft Christmas carols playing faintly in the background. It will be grand! Not only that, I’m going to get to meet people whom I ordinarily wouldn’t have met without this trip – sharing memories and creating new ones. Waltzing, however, will not be one of them – unSL less I can do it sitting down!

R UVE O C VAN AND ISL ON I EDIT

To Move or Not to Move? A Helpful Guide for Seniors Considering Their Residential Options

To Move or Not to Move?

To Move or Not to Move? A Helpful Guide for Seniors Considering Their Residential Options

MAGAZINE

Published by Senior Living October 2007

14.95 Buy it now!

REG. PRICE: $

ONLY

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If you are a senior who has been wondering lately whether you should consider moving - either because you find the maintenance of your current home more difficult due to diminishing ability or energy, or you simply want a lifestyle that allows you more freedom and less responsibility - then this is the book that can help you ask the right questions and find the solution that is right for you. • What residential options are available? • Define your current situation - What residential option is right for you? • How to research and assess Independent and Assisted Living residences. • What do Independent, Assisted Living and Complex Care facilities have to offer? • How much does it cost to live in an Assisted Living residence? What subsidies are available? • Thinking of moving in with family members? Questions to consider before making your decision. • Are there any other residential options besides Independent, Assisted Living and Complex Care facilities? • If you choose to stay in your own home, what are your options and what should you plan for? • Who can help you decide what you can or cannot afford? • Funding sources available to seniors - tax deductions, housing subsidies, home care subsidies, equipment loan programs, renovation grants, etc. • Selling your home - how to find the right realtor or relocation services to assist your move. • Downsizing - Where do you start? How do you proceed? • Adapting your home to meet your mobility needs - tips and suggestions • Hiring home care services; do it yourself or hire an agency? • Legal matters - how to make sure you receive the care you desire should you not be able to communicate due to some incapacitating condition • AND MUCH MORE Advice from professionals who are experts in the area of assisting seniors with their relocation

questions and concerns. A handy reference guide for seniors and their families wrestling with the issues around whether relocation is the best option. This 128-page book provides helpful, easy to read information and suggestions to help seniors and their families understand the decisions they need to make.

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